Sept. 14, 1988

Blue Rock Industries, which is trying to regain Industrial zoning for its 25 acres on the east side of Spring street in Westbrook, has been planning for three decades to move to Spring Street, Lloyd Lathrop, company president, told neighbors Saturday. Though focused on Blue Rock’s hope for a new Spring Street office building, Lathrop mentioned that under present zoning, the company also can’t expand its Spring Street maintenance shop, which was under construction when Blue Rock lost Industrial zoning there 16 years ago. Blue Rock’s best guess is that it will close out its big quarry on Main Street next to the Maine Turnpike in seven to 14 years, Lathrop said. Lathrop invited some neighbors to Blue Rock’s new “Stone Center” building on Spring Street to explain why the company would be going to the Westbrook Planning Board this week to seek the zone.

Westbrook School Department surveyed voters after they defeated its $8.1 million high school bond issue last year, and has a new proposal geared to what they said, Assistant Superintendent David Wallace told the City Council Monday. He asked for a new referendum Nov. 8 on a scaled-down version of high school improvements. The council set a Sept. 26 public hearing on the new proposal, an estimated $11.5 million proposal – $6.5 million for improvements plus and estimated $5 million in interest. The state would not pay for any of that.

Kitty Dukakis, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, visited Saturday with a group of S.D. Warren workers and signed a “Pink Slip for George Bush” card, giving him a 60-day notice that he’s going to be out of a job. She was accompanied by U.S. Rep. Joseph Brennan, who seeks re-election, and state Senate candidate Donald Esty Jr.

Representatives from the Firefighters Union and the Westbrook City Council will meet in private Sept. 15 to discuss possible alternatives to the tentative agreement reached last April. After 15 months without a contract, the firefighters ratified the agreement last spring. The Westbrook City Council then voted it down.

A five-member majority of the Gorham Town Council stood firm last week in defense of the proposed $1.3 million Municipal Center expansion, voting to place the issue before voters again in November. “I would have liked to see alternatives presented to the people. I just can’t put this back on the ballot now,” said Councilor Dean Evans in voting against the proposal. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 27.

Mr. and Mrs. Galen Chambers, White Rock Road, Gorham, entertained her son and grandson, Fred Gordon and Michael, of Lexington, Ky., who came for his 20th class reunion at Westbrook High. Also arrived for two weeks on Aug. 29 were her grandson and wife, Robert and Beverly Miller, Detroit, Mich. Robert arrived on crutches, recuperating from a fall in May that injured his back and ankle. The couple expect their first child in February and were honored on Aug. 30 at a baby shower.

The Gorham Lions Club is sponsoring a foliage tour Oct. 2 for Gorham seniors, going through the White Mountains over the Kangamangus Highway to Lincoln, N.H., where there will be an opportunity to buy lunch.

Sept. 16, 1998

Westbrook’s final cleanup of big rubbish for the soon-to-be-closed Rocky Hill landfill on the Methodist Road began Monday. The rules call for everything to have been out on the curb by Monday. The pick-up is being made on the same schedule and day of the week as for usual household rubbish collections. Rocky Hill will close permanently Oct. 3, the city has promised the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The city has put aside $50,000 to cover it costs of this final big-rubbish pick-up. After Rocky Hill closes, the city expects to send residents who have big items to dispose of to the city of Portland’s Riverside Street landfill.

Melissa Noack will take a brief vacation Sept. 17 and 18 from her duties as an art teacher at Wescott Junior High School. She has been called to Washington. There, she’ll be among the 50 state winners of Sallie Mae First Teacher Awards who will be honored in ceremonies. The award carries with it $1,500 plus the all-expenses-paid trip to D.C. She was picked on the basis of her 1997-98 year teaching art and her essay analyzing it.

The Westbrook City Council has approved money for several additional expenses on the athletic fields project. “When this was presented to the public last year, it was an $850,000 project. Now we’re pushing $1.2 million,” said Alderman James Violette. “I don’t think people know what this is costing us. All these little costs have been added and added. When is it going to stop?”

Advertisement: Grand Opening Sale – Cumberland Farms, 137 Main St., Gorham. Coffee or Cappuccino, 25 cents. Newport Soda, 49 cents. All 12-inch subs, $3.69.

Back in August 1983, Calvin Hamblen invited the descendants of George and Sarah Hamblen to attend the 200th anniversary of the signing of the deed for the purchase of the Hamblen land on Gray Road, Gorham, dated 1783, that he had in his possession. Every five years since then a reunion has been held, and this year they got together at the Hamblen farm on Aug. 2. The hosts were his son and family, Charles and Deidre Hamblen, Emily, Hanna and Madeleine, along with Calvin. A pig barbecue led the menu with many bringing favorite potluck dishes for all to enjoy. The weather was perfect.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the state regional library system, the North Gorham Public Library, 2 Standish Neck Road, will hold an open house Sept 18. Local violin maker and musician Jon Cooper will perform, and the library’s new computer system and photocopier will be displayed.

The Westbrook High School football team repeated last year’s season opening with a 14-6 win over Deering Friday, and Coach Jim Colello is expecting his team to be very competitive this season. “Historically, we’ve had a problem with depth. It’s kind of a cycle. But I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve seen during the pre-season,” said Colello.

50 YEARS AGO

The Westbrook American reported on Sept. 11, 1963, that Mr. and Mrs. Hartley Colpitts and daughter Julie have purchased the former Alfred Grant property on Church Street in Gorham. Mrs. George Marsh of West Buxton celebrated her 90th birthday at her home on River Street. Her daughter, Alta, was hostess.

Rocheleau’s Clothing Store, shown here in 1914, opened in the early 1900s at 861 Main St., when Westbrook was a thriving community of local businesses. Rocheleau’s survived the hard times of the Great Depression and survived a devastating fire in 1942 that destroyed the upper floors of the building. The urban renewal project, which tore up streets, eliminated much of the downtown on-street parking and limited signage, ushered in the demise of many local businesses. Rocheleau’s was the last of these retailers in downtown Westbrook. Bill Rocheleau, grandson of the store’s founder, sadly closed the store November 1981. Saccarappa Art Collective now occupies the location. To see more historical photos and artifacts, visit the Westbrook Historical Society at the Fred C. Wescott Building, 426 aBridge St. Inquiries can be emailed to westhistorical@myfairpoint.net. The website is www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org.